Medical practice; ensure that stem cell therapies are used to advance medical treatments and improve patient outcomes in an ethical manner that does not involve stem cells derived from aborted fetuses

Georgia stem cell access with new safeguards

Georgia allows doctors and their lawfully designated physician assistants or nurse practitioners to provide certain stem cell treatments without FDA approval. Treatment must stay within the provider’s allowed scope of practice. Covered cells come from post-birth placental or perinatal sources, including Wharton’s jelly—not aborted fetuses or embryos. Providers must use cells from FDA-registered facilities or facilities certified or accredited by recognized bodies. Products must meet federal manufacturing standards. Facilities must notify treating doctors within 30 days of registration or accreditation renewal, suspension, revocation, or expiration. Ads must include a readable Georgia-law notice about unapproved treatments and encourage patients to consult their primary care provider. The notice must be at least as large as the ad’s largest text. Before treatment, patients must receive advice and sign consent; a legal representative signs when the patient cannot legally consent. The form must explain the treatment, FDA approval status, and expected results in understandable language. Violations can lead to licensing-board discipline. Exceptions cover specified FDA-authorized investigational uses and treatments under contract with specified accredited institutions. Federally compliant stem cell research with required oversight remains unrestricted by this section. The law does not require insurance to pay for treatment.